George a



(No Model.)

G A. BOWEN. FOLDING TABLE.

Patented Feb. 27, 1894.

Units Snares arnwr trio.

GEORGE A. BOWEN, OF FOND DU LAO, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHARLES L. MUENTER, OF SAME PLACE.

FOLDING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 515,462, dated February :27, 1894.

Application filed September 15,1893. Serial No,485,5'72, (No model.)

To (ZZZ whom it may concern..-

1 3e it known that I, GEORGE A. BOWEN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Fond du Lac, in the county of Fond du Lac,

5 and 1n the State of \Visconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Foldmg Tables; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention has for its object to provide a folding table somewhat analogous to the one set forth in my PatentNo. 506,622, dated October 10, 1893, but in which legs of greater length than the sides of a rectangularstructx5 ure, to which the top is secured, will fold within the boundaries of said structure, this being a feature of material advantage in the manufacture of round top tables, provided with means for bracing each leg at several points when extended, or angular tables provided with like means and of less extent at any side than the requisite length of the legs necessary to obtain a standard height for each of these latter tables when in use.

Said invention therefore consists in certain peculiarities of construction and combination of parts hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings and subsequently claimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 represents a plan view of my improved table as it appears inverted with all but one leg folded, certain of the parts being broken away and in section forthe purpose of better illustration. Fig. 2,

represents a portion of the table in section on line 2-2 of the preceding figure.

Referring by letter to the drawings A represents a round table-top, but the contour of the same may be such as fancy or the demand 0 of the trade may determine. Fast to the under side of the table are rails B joined at their ends by corner-blocks G to form a rectangular structure of less extentat any side than the requisite length of the folding legs D necessary to obtain a standard height for the table when in use. The blocks and rails above specified are mortised-and-tenoned together in the preferred construction of my table, and said blocks have flat inner faces that oppose like faces of the legs when the latter are ex tended, each leg being separately hinged to the under side of the table-top. As herein shown each hinge has the leaf 0 thereof, that connects with the table-top, in the form of a right-angle to permit the relative table leg, secured to the other leaf (1 to have a su flicient amount of play necessary to a swing on said hinge, and this leg is reduced at e in order that it may clear the adjacent rail when swung on the aforesaid hinge.

'When the table is not in use the legs D fold down obliquely of the top within the rectangular structure above specified, and thus I am enabled to use legs of standard length on round or angular table-tops of such dimensions that said legs would extend beyond the edge if folded in a direction other than that herein shown and described. The under side of the table-top is provided with oblique blocks E in frictional contact at all times with the legs D, and the blocks not only serve as braces for said legs in any position of the latter, but also prevent possible interference of one leg with anotherwhen the same are swung in or out on their hinges.

To maintain the legs in either a vertical or horizontal position, I employ spring-devices that preferably consist of bars F made from elastic wood and centrally reduced to increase their elasticity. The inner end of each bar is connected to the under side of the table-top by screws f or other suitable means, and the outer or free end of said bar is provided with a notch 91 corresponding to the contour of the leg that is adjacent thereto, and when this leg is brought to a vertical position the automatic engagement therewith of the notch springbar causes it to be firmly locked in its adjusted position, there being two points of bearing and consequent bracing of said bar on said leg. It is to be observed that the pressure eXerted by the springbars hold the legs in their horizontal position, said bars being practically the same as like devices set forth in my aforesaid patent.

By means of the corner-blocks, the guideblocks and notched spring-bars, above specified, I brace each leg at four points when in 'a vertical position.

too

bets h at the lower inner edges of the rails D, the ends of these strips being cut on a bevel to face snug against sides of said legs when the latter are vertical.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A table-top having its under side provided with a rectangular structure comprising united rails and corner-blocks, the latter having flat inner faces, hinged legs that abut said faces of the corner blocks when vertical, and strips that extend inward from the aforesaid rails and have their ends shaped to snugly impinge said legs when the latter are swung out on their hinges, substantially as set forth.

2. A table-top having its under side provided with a rectangular structure comprising united rails and corner blocks, the latter having flat inner faces, oblique blocks on said under side of the table-top, hinged legs that have frictional contact at all times with the latter blocks and abut said faces of the corner blocks when vertical, and spring locking bars that bear against the legs on opposite sides from said oblique blocks, substantially as set forth.

3. A table having a rectangular structure on the under side of its top, legs hinged to said top inside the corners of said structure to fold in oblique directions, permanent guideblocks for the legs, notched spring-bars that engage corners of said legs when the latter are vertical, and stay-strips arranged on the aforesaid structure to brace the aforesaid legs in their vertical position, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoingI have hereunto set my hand, at Fond du Lac, in the county of Fond du Lac and State of Wiscousin, in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE A. BOWEN.

WVitnesses:

O. -L.- MUENTER, L. MUENTER. 

